ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals playoff odds hang by a thread after loss to Dolphins

Dec 13, 2016, 6:00 AM | Updated: 11:32 am

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson (14) catches a pass for a touchdown between Miami Dolph...

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson (14) catches a pass for a touchdown between Miami Dolphins cornerback Tony Lippett (36) and free safety Michael Thomas (31), left, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

The Arizona Cardinals’ playoff hopes took a major shot in Miami, where the team fell to the Dolphins 26-23. Arizona finds itself at 5-7-1, and most likely, on the outside looking in regarding the postseason field. At the least, the Cardinals hardly control their own destiny.

However, Sunday’s loss does not completely eliminate them from the playoffs.

According to the New York Times’  NFL playoff simulator, if the Cardinals win the final three remaining games of the season, there is a 10 percent chance the team gets in.

Not good odds, but odds nonetheless.

The teams the Cardinals are battling for a Wild Card spot in the NFC — New York (9-4), Tampa Bay (8-5), Atlanta (7-5), Washington (7-5-1), Minnesota (7-6) and Green Bay (7-6) — all secured victories on Sunday.

Over on FiveThirtyEight, the odds are not kind.

The website gives the Cardinals a less than 1-percent shot at making the playoffs, joining the likes of Carolina, Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Diego and Cincinnati. That’s similar to the New York Times’ simulations when not writing in three wins to close the season.

Last week, the Cardinals had a 10-percent chance of making the playoffs without picking wins.

Arizona welcomes Drew Brees and the Saints next week in the final home game of the season before playing at Seattle and at Los Angeles against a Rams team who will be playing under and interim coach following head coach Jeff Fisher’s dismissal Monday.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) fumbles the ball as Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) attempts to recover it, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Dolphins defensive end Andre Branch (50) tackles Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31), during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Miami Dolphins running back Damien Williams (26) scores a touchdown ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaviar Gooden (52), during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) hands the ball to running back Jay Ajayi (23), during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) looks to pass, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Arizona Cardinals defensive end Frostee Rucker (92) attempts to sack Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17), during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is attended on the field, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Miami Dolphins free safety Walt Aikens (35) runs for two points after the Miami Dolphins blocked an extra point attempt by the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. To the right is Miami Dolphins free safety Michael Thomas (31). (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Arizona Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro (7) watches as the ball bounces back after the extra point was blocked by Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. To the left is Arizona Cardinals punter Drew Butler (2). (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Brittan Golden (10) smiles after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. To the right is Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11). (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) catches a two-point-conversion over Miami Dolphins cornerback Bobby McCain (28), during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson (14) catches a pass for a touchdown between Miami Dolphins cornerback Tony Lippett (36) and free safety Michael Thomas (31), left, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake, obstructed, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. To the right is Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Earl Mitchell (90). (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Dolphins tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) and punter Matt Darr (4) congratulate Miami Dolphins kicker Andrew Franks (3, after Franks scored a field goal to win the game, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. To the bottom is Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28). The Dolphins defeated the Cardinals 26-23. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Sio Moore (54) tackles Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23), during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins defeated the Cardinals 26-23. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14) celebrates after his team won the game with a field goal during the last minute of the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins defeated the Cardinals 26-23. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase is seen on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins defeated the Cardinals 26-23. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore (8) look to pass under heavy rain, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Moore replaced Tannehill who was injured during the game. The Dolphins defeated the Cardinals 26-23. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) 
              Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) waves to fans as he is escorted off the field after he was injured, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
            Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) leaves the field at the end of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins defeated the Cardinals 26-23. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Miami Dolphins tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) and punter Matt Darr (4) congratulate Miami Dolphins kicker Andrew Franks (3, after Franks scored a field goal to win the game, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. To the bottom is Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28). The Dolphins defeated the Cardinals 26-23. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) waves to fans as he is escorted off the field after he was injured, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) tackles Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17), during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Tannehill was injured on the play. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians gestures from the sidelines, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) congratulates tight end Dion Sims (80), after Sims scored a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) fumbles the ball as Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) attempts to recover it, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) looks to pass, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is short on a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. To the left is Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Maxwell (41). (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Miami Dolphins linebacker Mike Hull (45) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11), during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Miami Dolphins linebacker Mike Hull (45) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11), during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) attempts to make a catch as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Tony Jefferson (22) is late with the tackle, during heavy rain in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

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